Glass Greenhouses: Do-it-yourself Glass Structures, Beautiful Options From An Aluminum Profile And Double-glazed Windows

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Glass Greenhouses: Do-it-yourself Glass Structures, Beautiful Options From An Aluminum Profile And Double-glazed Windows
Glass Greenhouses: Do-it-yourself Glass Structures, Beautiful Options From An Aluminum Profile And Double-glazed Windows

Video: Glass Greenhouses: Do-it-yourself Glass Structures, Beautiful Options From An Aluminum Profile And Double-glazed Windows

Video: Glass Greenhouses: Do-it-yourself Glass Structures, Beautiful Options From An Aluminum Profile And Double-glazed Windows
Video: We Made 5 DIY Windows from 2x4s and Saved $1,500 2024, March
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Many owners of their own summer cottages prefer glass greenhouses. It is quite possible to make such structures on your own. The main thing is just to strictly follow the instructions and use quality materials. Today we will take a closer look at such options for greenhouses, and also analyze step by step how they need to be done with our own hands.

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Features of the

Nowadays, you won't surprise anyone with a greenhouse. Such structures are present in many areas. They are made from a variety of materials, depending on the wishes of the owners. However, one of the most popular are glass structures. They are not only effective in use, but also have a good appearance.

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Glass greenhouses have been used since the distant 17th century. The first designs were made in France. At that time, the construction of these structures was incredibly expensive for people, so they were more often found in the possessions of the rich. However, over time, glass ceased to be an inaccessible material and began to be used in ubiquitous construction. That is why today glass greenhouses are so popular - almost everyone can afford them.

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The relevance of these structures is due not only to their rich history, but also to many positive qualities

  • The main advantage of glass greenhouses is their high transparency. Thanks to this quality, you can significantly save on energy resources, because natural light will penetrate in sufficient volume into the interior of the structure.
  • Such structures are not afraid of external chemical and biological influences - over the years the glass does not begin to rot or become covered with rust. In addition, this material is not afraid of high humidity, contact with chemicals, rodent and insect attacks. Wooden options cannot boast of similar properties, as well as metal ones.
  • The glass greenhouse is environmentally friendly. Glass does not emit toxic substances into the environment, even if the heat is sweltering outside. That is why such a greenhouse will not harm either people or plantings that will grow in its dungeons.
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  • A similar structure can be supplemented with various decorative elements. With them, the greenhouse can sparkle with new colors and become an effective design complement to the landscape.
  • Quality glass greenhouses are not afraid of contact with abrasives. In addition, they are not subject to abrasion even after many years of use.
  • Glass options are also good because in the event of a breakdown of one of the sections, it can easily be changed to a new one.
  • Glass is a durable material that does not lose its positive characteristics over time.
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  • If any dirt appears on the surface of the glass parts, it can be easily and quickly removed with a regular damp cloth. If this is not enough, it is permissible to use cleaning agents - they will not harm the glass in any way.
  • Such constructions are also good because they are not afraid of sudden gusts of wind. Under their influence, the structure does not deform or squirm. Of course, a lot depends on the quality of the greenhouse, as well as the foundation on which it stands.
  • Modern greenhouses are made of glass that is not afraid of frost or heat. For this reason, such designs can be purchased for a wide variety of climatic conditions.
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As you can see, the glass greenhouse is a great option that is durable and has a very long service life. If the design is done correctly, then it will also decorate the site. However, we must not forget about some of the disadvantages of these products.

  • The main disadvantage of glass greenhouses is their fragility. Such structures are afraid of mechanical impact from the outside. Even hail can damage them. For this reason, experts recommend purchasing options from special tempered, armored or reinforced glass, or plexiglass. But keep in mind that such materials are quite expensive.
  • The glass from which greenhouses are made is characterized by a high level of thermal conductivity. On the one hand, this is good - there is an opportunity to make the most of the heat from the sunlight, but on the other hand, such a structure will heat up very quickly and cool down just as quickly, which may damage the crop. In winter, glass greenhouses have very high heat losses. Warming them up becomes a real problem.
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  • It is impossible not to take into account the fact that the glass in the construction of the greenhouse has an impressive weight. For this reason, structures made of such material must be placed on a very strong and thought-out foundation.
  • A glass greenhouse is always made in the form of a house (with slight differences). There is no large selection of forms in the manufacture of such a structure. This is due to the fact that glass itself is not a plastic material and it is impossible to bend it. That is why the choice of forms is strictly limited.
  • Despite the fact that today the cost of such products is very different from the cost that was in the distant past, they are still not too cheap. Of course, you can save money and use it for the construction of used glass with frames, but such options do not look so aesthetically pleasing.
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Materials (edit)

Glass greenhouses are most often made using aluminum profiles. Such material is good because it is lightweight and affordable. In addition, metal parts can boast of high practicality, especially when compared with other varieties. From an aluminum profile, it will turn out to build a greenhouse of almost any modification. Aluminum profiles are most often chosen in the manufacture of glass greenhouses also for the reason that they are not subject to decay, such as, for example, natural wood structures. And outwardly, such structures look very solid. It will not be difficult to assemble and disassemble such a structure, even if the master does not have rich experience.

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In addition, glass greenhouses with an aluminum frame are very simple and unpretentious in terms of care and maintenance. They are easy to clean and make old plants easy to remove. According to many summer residents, these structures are able to decorate the site, giving it a special style.

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Greenhouses are often made from plastic windows. Such designs are recognized as one of the most practical, but they are quite expensive, especially if you use completely new parts. From the PVC profile with high-quality double-glazed windows, very warm greenhouses are obtained, which can be used without hindrance, even if it is a frosty winter outside. These structures perfectly retain heat, so you will not have to spend money on additional heating.

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In search of a more reliable option, you can turn to metal-plastic structures. Such specimens are distinguished by high wear resistance, durability and practicality. Even if the base under the greenhouse undergoes serious deformation, the erection itself will not suffer from this in any way.

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Slightly less common are glass greenhouses, which are based on a frame made of a shaped pipe covered with galvanized or paint. Not the greatest distribution of such options is due to the fact that it is rather problematic to install glass in their design. For this, wood frames are additionally prepared, which are subsequently attached to the frame base. Only then do they proceed directly to fixing the glass inserts. Similarly, it is possible to supply fiberglass windows.

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The frame for the glass greenhouse can also be made of wood. This material is good because it is environmentally friendly, and it looks attractive. Visible wooden structures can be painted and varnished if desired by the owners. However, from the point of view of practicality, the options made of wood cannot be called worthwhile. Wood is susceptible to rotting, drying out and "attack" by all sorts of parasites. Such a greenhouse is unlikely to last long, but it will require regular maintenance and maximum respect.

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Types of structures

Glass greenhouses can differ not only in the materials of the frame base, but also in their designs. Usually, these structures are made in the form of compact houses with their own distinctive characteristics and structural features. The most popular are fixed structures, prefabricated on bolts, which are made from reliable aluminum profiles and glass. They are assembled using bolts and have additional vents, with the help of which the inside of the greenhouse will be well ventilated.

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There are also buildings made of sliding systems made of aluminum. It is quite possible to open their sides to ventilate the greenhouse if necessary. Such options are very convenient to use if there is a need to normalize the microclimate on a hot day. As a rule, aluminum specimens with glass elements are seasonal. They are quite difficult to insulate and adapt to the winter season.

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How to do it yourself?

It is quite possible to build a quality glass greenhouse with your own hands. For the construction of such a structure, you will also need to draw up a project and all the necessary drawings, so that as a result, the construction is reliable and durable.

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Base

First, you need to prepare a high-quality foundation for a greenhouse structure. To do this, you must first mark the site and remove the top layer of soil in the place where the structure will be located. After that, you need to dig a pit with a depth of 700 mm. It will be necessary to level the bottom and fill it with crushed stone with a layer of 200 mm, as well as sand. You will definitely need to tamp this layer, and then cover it with a special geotextile.

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After that, you can proceed to the construction of a reinforcing frame base using corrugated rods having a diameter of 8-12 mm. They will need to be attached with a knitting wire. Next, you should proceed to the design of the formwork from wooden shields. In this case, it is important to maintain a distance of 300 mm between the parallel walls. The boards should be higher than the soil level, by about 100-300 mm.

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Be sure to check the geometry of the prepared elements. Then you need to pull them off with bars. From the outside, it is necessary to support the structure using special slopes, so that the formwork does not disperse from the pressure produced by the concrete solution. After that, you can start pouring concrete, bayonetting and leveling. After completing the listed processes, the resulting structure will need to be left for about a month. From blocks or bricks, it will be necessary to complete the basement of the required height.

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Frame

Having completed the construction of a high-quality glass greenhouse base, you can proceed to designing an equally reliable frame. First, the lower strapping is laid and pulled together using galvanized corners or self-tapping screws. This structure is attached to the base with anchors. Next, you need to correctly mark the perimeter and fix the vertical posts, fixing them with the corners. You will also need to make a strapping on the heads located in the upper part.

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Roof

As for the rafter system, it must be assembled on the ground. In this case, you can use various schemes. First, you need to lift the trusses onto the frame and fix them on special skids. The presence of movable fasteners will make it possible to avoid possible deformation of the roof in the event of significant heaving of the earth. When absolutely all the trusses are installed, they will need to be connected using a ridge bar.

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Glazing

Before proceeding to the glazing of a greenhouse structure made of wood (of course, you can use an aluminum and iron profile or build a "skeleton" of duralumin rolled steel), the frame will need to be treated with a special antiseptic or whitewashed with slaked lime. You will need to nail bars along the bottom edge of the roof rafters and ridge. The glass will need to be laid on the rafters, maintaining gaps of 7-10 mm between the individual parts. Please note that the edges should fall into the center of the rafter leg. The gap that appears should be smeared with a sealing agent, covered with a wooden bar (it is advisable to screw it using self-tapping screws).

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Cut a strip of 200-300 mm from the galvanized sheet. It will need to be bent along. At the junction of the glasses in the area of the ridge, you must definitely go through with a high-quality sealant. After that, you need to cover this base with a galvanized corner and also turn to a sealant for gluing.

All openings that exist along the perimeter must be finished with slats with a size of 20x20 (or 40) mm. This creates a neat inner frame that acts as a glass support. Next, you need to fix the glass cut to the required dimensions in the opening, and then fix it on top with glazing beads on thin nails. In accordance with the dimensions of the doorway, you need to make a frame of 50x50 mm bars specifically for the door. This will require transverse parts (3-4 pcs.) And 2 long side bars. The structure can be assembled using corners. In the inner part, as well as on the frame, it is necessary to make a glass rack support. It will be necessary to fasten the hinges and screw them into the opening at the end of the greenhouse.

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Operating tips

If you plan to make a greenhouse with a metal frame with your own hands, then you should definitely additionally protect it from possible corrosion. If we neglect this stage, the profile itself or metal corners, in contact with air and moisture, will inevitably begin to collapse. At the request of the owners, the glass in the greenhouse can be tinted for a specific shade of the color spectrum. You can also turn to the design finishing of the frame base, thanks to which it will be possible to transform the site.

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If you have made a greenhouse from ordinary fragile glass, then you should use it as carefully as possible. However, do not worry if you accidentally break one of the glass sections (or if it has been damaged by hail or snow loads). It will be enough to replace the destroyed element with a new one. In most cases, glass greenhouses are operated only during warm seasons and are not year-round. However, some gardeners use them in cold seasons, pre-warming them.

Such glass structures can be made warmer with the help of:

  • underfloor heating systems (in this case, cable heating is meant);
  • infrared heating units;
  • ovens capable of circulating air;
  • heating radiators.
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In addition, if you plan to use the greenhouse in winter, for its construction it is necessary to choose the thickest glasses that will prevent unnecessary heat losses. However, it is important to consider that for such materials, more reliable metal frames are needed that can easily withstand impressive loads. Structures made of old window frames are absolutely not suitable for operation in winter. This is due to the fact that there will always be gaps between them, through which heat will rapidly leave the greenhouse.

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If at the summer cottage there is an old glass greenhouse, then this is very good, since you can save extra energy and time. You only need to carry out all the necessary repair work, and, if desired, improve the existing structure. If desired, the frame base of the greenhouse can be painted in the color you like. Of course, it is best to use safe and environmentally friendly formulations for this.

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If you want to prevent heat escaping through the glazing in the cold season, you can make small arched pipe structures over the beds and additionally cover them with a special greenhouse film.

Manufacturing recommendations

If you are determined to make a high-quality glass greenhouse with your own hands, then you should familiarize yourself with some recommendations from experts, to avoid a number of problems during the course of work.

  • If you do not want to pay for new glasses, you can turn to used materials. They look best on wood frames. It will not be difficult to make them with your own hands in accordance with the required dimensions, but you need to take into account that very often used glass structures look a little crooked.
  • Be sure to take care of the presence of folding vents in the structure.
  • If you plan to build a glass greenhouse yourself, then you can simplify your task a little and use a ready-made project, slightly adjust the existing drawings in accordance with your own initial parameters.
  • In order for the glass to fit as tightly as possible to the frame of the greenhouse, and also not to emit annoying rattling sounds, you should use a high-quality rubber gasket. With this part, all joints are very tight, so the likelihood of drafts is minimized.
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  • Making a greenhouse with your own hands, the roof can be finished not with glass, but with sheets of polycarbonate. This material is perfect for the specified substrate.
  • The dimensional parameters of greenhouse glasses directly depend on the specific type of frame structure. However, optimum thicknesses should not be less than 4 mm.
  • If glazed frames are used during the construction, then you will definitely need to remove absolutely all the fittings, as well as make the glass fastening more reliable.
  • It is important to choose the right location for the greenhouse installation. It is advisable to place it away from shady areas, since most plants like sunlight. Experts recommend orienting the building from north to south.
  • It is best to build a greenhouse made of glass on level and dry ground. Areas with large differences and unevenness should be avoided.
  • Some experts advise to design not a foundation for glass greenhouses, but a special floor consisting of several layers. To make it, you first need to pour a layer of concrete, then you need to fill in gravel and plastic to protect the plantings from excessive dampness and weed growth. After that, 10-15 cm of building sand are laid. The layers are pressed together with bricks. The final step is to re-sand.
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  • If you are building a frame for a greenhouse from wooden blocks, then do not forget to coat them with protective antiseptic agents. These processes should not be neglected, because without additional protection, the wood will very soon begin to rot and dry out.
  • When designing a greenhouse roof, it must be borne in mind that the smallest slope angle should be 15 degrees or less. The more snow falls in the conditions of your region of residence, the more impressive the slope will need to be built.
  • When making a foundation for a glass structure, many experts recommend turning to concrete of the M-200 brand.
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  • It is necessary to glue and fasten all the details of the greenhouse conscientiously. The structure should turn out to be as strong and reliable as possible - nothing should stagger or hold on "on a kind word", because under the influence of heavy glasses, such a structure will not stand for a long time.
  • Before starting to build a glass greenhouse on your own, you should stock up on high-quality materials in specialized stores.
  • You should not engage in the construction of such structures with your own hands if you doubt your abilities. There are many large manufacturers on the modern market offering high-quality and reliable greenhouses made of various materials. You can order exactly the model that you want to see on your site.
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Beautiful examples

As mentioned above, a well-made glass greenhouse is able to decorate a site, becoming an integral component of a harmonious landscape design. For example, a small greenhouse with an angular gable roof made of small windows with white wooden frames will look very impressive and at the same time cozy. Such a structure will look more attractive if it is equipped with a plinth lined with decorative bricks of different shades. This charming building can be surrounded by stone paths. Such a product will look especially organically in an ensemble with wooden residential buildings against the background of tall trees.

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If you want to place elite structures on your site that look very expensive and solid, then you can turn to a glass structure attached to a dark metal profile, complemented by small forged peaks in the roof area. In this case, there is no need to install a high base. The building can be surrounded by small stonework. This chic product will look especially attractive when surrounded by neatly trimmed green lawns, flower plantations, dwarf Christmas trees and asphalt / stone paths.

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Tall glass greenhouses with a frame made of painted metal in a mahogany shade look solid in spacious areas. Such designs look presentable and laconic, easily fitting into any ensemble. They can be "supported" by black retro-style street lamps and beautiful paving slabs.

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Very beautiful greenhouses are obtained from dark wooden frames. Such structures can have high gable roofs, glazed with small pieces of fragile material. Inside such buildings, artificial lighting should be carried out - in the dark, with the lights on, these greenhouses will look mysterious and original.

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For information on how to make a glass greenhouse, see the next video.

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